Dragon Tails 2013 explored the twin forces of tradition and modernity, examining the histories of cultural maintenance and evolution amongst overseas Chinese. Diverse aspects of tradition and modernity were considered through papers on religion, family values, community organisation, business and trade activities, market gardening, gender roles, labour relations, litigation, political action, education and architecture.

The Dragon Tails history and heritage conferences aim to bring together scholars, both professional and amateur, from a wide range of fields. They are forums for discussion about the current state of the field of Chinese Australasian history, the challenges researchers face and the ways we might continue to improve our understanding of Australasia’s Chinese pasts.

The first Dragon Tails conference ran at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat, Victoria, in October 2009. It brought together new historical understandings about early Chinese Australians, and considered their place within broader histories of Australia and the Chinese diaspora.

In November 2011, the second Dragon Tails was held at the Chinese Museum in Melbourne, Victoria, with the aim of exploring the diverse range of sources for Chinese Australian history, including Chinese-language materials, and highlighting the fresh approaches being used to interrogate them.